Partition



A. D. MCKEE March 8, 1932.

PARTITON Filed May 27, 1931 lul mentor,

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Patented Mar. 8, 1932 Unirse STATES PA'PEIW OFFICE?- ARCHIBALD D. MCKEE, OF LAKEWOOD', OHIO, ASSIGNOR' OF ONE-HALF WALTER J. i 4

' HARING, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO v l PARTITION Application led May 27, 1931. SeriaLNo. 540,236.

This invention relates to an extensible partition adapted for use in desk draweisand similar places for dividing the same into compartments. v

The principal object of the invention is to provide such a partition which may be positioned at any point along the walls of such drawer or similar device without relying upon preformed grooves in the drawer walls, but

I relying simply upon the partition itself. A

A further object is to provide a device of this type in which the relatively movable members shall move only in substantially their own planes for extension and the relaf tive movement necessary to cause gripping of the opposed walls of the drawer or similar device. Other and more limited objects will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

Fig. 1 is a sectional View through a drawerv in showing one embodiment of my invention in elevation; Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig.. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevation showing the partition in the operative relation which allows free motion of the relatively movable parts; and Fig. 4 is a section corresponding substantially to line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings I have indicated a drawer of conventional construction including a bottom 10, vertical sidewalls 11 and an end wall 12, the other end wall not showing in the drawings. The embodiment disclosed conl sists principally of a. pair of relatively movable sheet metal members indicated generally by the numerals 13 and 14. rfhe member 13.

comprises a flat rectangularplate of sheet metal provided with an embossedportion 15 having an opening extending centrally therethrough and having the adjacent end provided with struck-up ratchet teeth 16. The

member 14 comprises a plate of sheet metal having the edges bent over, as shown at 17 andv 18, so asV to give the same a C-shaped cross section. The bent-over edge 17 is provided with rack teeth extending through a portion of its length, as indicated at 19. The bent the members 13 and 14 are extended until the over portions 17 and 18 terminate short of y' one end, as indicated at 20 and 21.;` Between the ends of the members 13 and 14 and the walls i 11 vof the drawer l prefer tov insert a cushion 22 of rubber 'or other similar deformable material which will preferably "be grooved to receive the ends-of themenibers n13 and 14, as clearly indicatedin Fig. 2.' Extend- 5 ing through the central Vopening in the bossl is; rivet 23 which also y extends through an V55 embossed portion 24 of a mutilated pinion member 25. rihe member 25 is provided with pinion teeth 26 adapted to mesh with the rack 'teeth 19 whereby to urge rthe members 13 and v14 apart for causing the 'sameto grip the side "walls 11 ofthe drawer." The member'25 is also provided with a'liattened portion 127 Vitflieri-iby'toV allow the vmembers 13 and 14 to move freely with respect to each otheiwhen 'the member 25 isin the position shown 'in-65 3. A projection 28 of the member 25 rcarries a pawl tooth 29 adjacent the end thereof which Vis'adapted to cooperate with 'the` ratchet teeth 16, already described. A lug 30 may also be provided forconvenience in manipulating'the member25. l y' p I vWhen this device is to be' inserted 'in a Y drawerto form al partition, the member 25l is moved tothe position indicated in Fig. 3, and

cushion'members 22 contact the side walls of vthe drawer.y Themember 25 is then rotated,

as indicated in Fig.V 1, until the cushions 22 are considerably deformed, whereby the partition is4 firmlypostioned. The pawl tooth 30 29 and theratchet teeth 16 cooperate vto prevent retrograde motion of the members v13. man..v

From the foregoing, it will be clear that I have provided apartition which is'well adapt-85` ed forv its intended` purpose, and while have shown and described a preferred modification,

'I wish it understood that I' am not limitedy to Y thcdetails thereof except in accordance with .th'scope of theappended claims.'

Having thus d-escribed my invention, what I claim is:

l. A partition including, a pair of fiat members, one of which has its edges bentover and receiving the edges of the other and having one edge provided with rack teeth, a mutilated pinion member pivoted on said other member and having its teeth adapted to mesh with said rack teeth, and pavvl and ratchet means adapted to prevent rot-ation of said mutilated pinion in one direction.

2. A partition including, a pair of relatively slidable members, said members being formed to prevent relative motion except longitudinal sliding motion, means for urging said members in a partition elongating direction, and means for preventing retrograde motion of said means, the projecting ends of both said members being provided with deformable cushion members adapted to engage the side walls of a drawer or the like.

8. A partition including, a pair of iiat members, one of which has its edges bent over and receiving the edges o-ic the other, means for urging said members in a partition elon- .gating direction, and means ior preventing retrograde motion oi' said means, the projecting ends of both said members being providedVV with deformable cushion members adapted to engage the side walls oi' a drawer oi' the like. Y Y

4. A partition including, a pair of iiat members,-one of which has its edges bent over and receiving the edges of the other and having one edge provided with rack teeth, a mutilated pinion member pivoted on said lother member and having its teeth adapted to mesh with said rack teeth, and pawl and vratchet meansV adapted to prevent rotation of said mutilated pinion in one direction,

of a drawer or the like.

5. A partition including, a pair of flatl `having one edge provided with rack teeth,

a mutilated pinion member pivoted on said other member and having its teeth adapted to -niesh with said rack teeth, and pawl and ratchet means adapted to prevent rotation of said mutilated pinion in one direction, said pawl and ratchet means consisting of an extension on said mutilated pinion carryingV a pawl tooth and a series of 4ratchet teeth struck out of the material of one of said members.

6. partition including, a pair ofilat members, one of which has its edges bent over and receiving the edges ofthe other and having one edge provided with rack teeth, a mutilated pinion member pivoted on said other memberand having its teeth adapted to mesh with"said rack teeth, and pawland signature.

ARCHIBALD D. MOKEE.

l,the projecting ends of 4both said membersV .being provided l with deformable cushion -members adapted to engage the side walls 

